and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the Assizes." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem despaired of." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Not at all. I only doubt--' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. least a fellow-countryman. forehead. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Yes, I promise.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can thought that she would have been so carried away." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could Have you good authority for what you say?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it had this final quarrel? to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Miss Holder?" "Not in a good cause." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I am following you closely," I answered. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any coroner's jury." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the maid will bring up your coffee." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told read over the extraordinary announcement. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Why serious?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He weighed down with some great anxiety. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place had died away into the silence from which it rose. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Yes, sir.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with cigars in their mouths. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the tell them apart.' outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, his huge brown hands. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I to have been novel and of interest." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found said he. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Mary, has deserted me." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter morning." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the side-table." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Why, what do you mean?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be know what is wrong with it.' the little opening for the ventilator is." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich any more." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be go back?" "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester for securing the situation." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'As governess?' stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor been." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of You want to know what became of those geese?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Very much so." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of mystery." "No." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! were unconscious?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I will try. What is it?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the his forehead." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "She walked into the breakfast-room." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real overpowering excitement and concern. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel shall use the carriage to-night." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the page at http://pglaf.org the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set again, where I was soon asleep. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Doctor, of the paper and the date." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, retorted upon me, and I on you." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Ten will be early enough." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "How can you tell that?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Never.' hands. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of Fenchurch Street." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of I held the little printed slip to the light. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is maiden herself was most instructive." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'Quite sure, dad.' three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned could not account in any way for the presence of the missing are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Game for a morning drive?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at union?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "What then?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday touch that coronet?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced you in your example." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with cigars in the box." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What shall I do?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot so.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "We must sit without light. He would see it through the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "You have a clue?" and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" searched, without anything being found which could incriminate is worth.' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to outside." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "In the cells." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "The murder was done with it." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. appeared upon the scene." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly It was close upon four before the door opened, and a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, companion. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "What office?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No. What a strange idea!" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Ample." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Street. but preventing her from injuring another. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Yes, at the mines." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Will you bet, then?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than when you have done it." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, people don't know." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I should like to see him very much." sneer upon his pale face. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have one." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow whether it answered to the description of any of their "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "My last client of the sort was a king." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and which was all perfectly true. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more status with the IRS. once more to my work. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was his grey eyes. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "That is it on the dressing-table." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "On the contrary, this is the right side." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it good-night and bustled off upon her way. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly up this clue while it is still hot." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. will not take me long to tell. "Well, but China?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head you." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you copied or distributed: from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" suspect him." speckled band?" has little to do with my story." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Stolen, then." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Sutherland?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the which it had come upon my father." colour had been driven from his face. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself